Please respond to the following prompts / questions in complete sentences. Use quotes when stipulated.
1. Do you discern any subtle racism in the treatment of the Moor?
2. Describe in detail Portia's matrimonial restrictions.
3. What must the Moor swear to do if he chooses incorrectly?
4. Is Launcelot the son of an honest man or an honest woman?
5. What does Launcelot think of Shylock?
6. How does Launcelot split the proverb "The grace of God is enough" between Bassanio and Shylock?
7. Is it really clear why Launcelot leaves Shylock to work for Bassanio?
8. Is Bassanio skeptical of taking Gratiano to Belmont? Use a quote as support.
9. Who is your favorite character? Who is your least favorite?
Due: Thursday, 11. 3 (Before Class)
1. Do you discern any subtle racism in the treatment of the Moor?
2. Describe in detail Portia's matrimonial restrictions.
3. What must the Moor swear to do if he chooses incorrectly?
4. Is Launcelot the son of an honest man or an honest woman?
5. What does Launcelot think of Shylock?
6. How does Launcelot split the proverb "The grace of God is enough" between Bassanio and Shylock?
7. Is it really clear why Launcelot leaves Shylock to work for Bassanio?
8. Is Bassanio skeptical of taking Gratiano to Belmont? Use a quote as support.
9. Who is your favorite character? Who is your least favorite?
Due: Thursday, 11. 3 (Before Class)
1.There is subtle racism in the treatment of the Moor. He states how he is as good as a white person from the North, revealing that Black people were looked down upon.
ReplyDelete2.Portia must marry the man who chooses the right keys from the casket. The men are tested their luck and fortune, and they must solve the riddle correctly for them to marry her.
3. What must the Moor swear to do if he chooses incorrectly?
The Moor must swear to never speak to a lady about marriage if he chooses incorrectly, meaning he won’t be able to marry anyone.
4. Launcelot proclaims himself as rather the honest woman’s son.
5. Launcelot think of Shylock as if he was a Devil, and looks down at him for he is a Jew. He wants to escape from him.
6. Laucelot splits the proverb by saying Bassanio has “The grace of God” and Shylock “hath enough”.
7. It is not really clear of why Launcelot leaves Shylock. He just states that he is famished by his service, and he has done him wrong.
8. Bassanio is skeptical about taking Gratiano to Belmont. He proclaims to him “Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice” (Shakespeare 43), saying that his behaviors and manners are too blunt and insolent, revealing that he is very concerned about traveling with him.
9. My favorite character is Shylock, even thought he seems as the villain of the story. But I believe he is the most understandable and reasonable character. If I was looked down upon in a community just because of my religion, I would probably be having similar the similar personality and would have a huge hatred for Christians. On the other hand, Bassanio is my least favorite. I have no sympathy toward him what so ever, for his bad reputation, ignorance, and self-greed. He is self-centered and careless of other people.
1. There are subtle hints of racism in the treatment of the Moor. He claims that he is just as hansom and powerful as another man from the North. He states that his skin color has made brave men fear him and Moroccan women love him.
ReplyDelete2. Due to Portia’s fathers will, her matrimonial restrictions are as follows; each suitor must take the box test, the winner is determined entirely by fate.
3. The Moor swears that he will never wed if he chooses incorrectly.
4. Launcelot is the son of a poor but honest man.
5. Launcelot despises Shylock because he is a Jew, Launcelot (currently employed by Shylock) makes a snap decision to run away from Shylock.
6. Laucelot splits the proverb by saying, Bassanio has “The grace of God” and Shylock has “enough”.
7. It is not 100% clear as to why Launcelot leaves Shylock to work for Bassanio. Launcelot claims that Shylock is unfair and does not feed him enough, he also thinks highly of the uniform Bassanio has his servants wear.
8. Is Bassanio skeptical of taking Gratiano to Belmont? Use a quote as support.
9. My Favorite character is Launcelot, I like his indecisive nature and quick wit. My least favorite character is The Prince of Morocco. I dislike how he flaunts his looks and talents towards Portia in attempt to impress her.
1.) I think i do see a bit of racism in the treatment of the Moor. He himself asks Portia not to judge him by the color of his skin, which may suggest that the Moors had been treated unfairly in the past because of their skin color.
ReplyDelete2.) Before Portia’s father died, he told his daughter that she must marry the man who solves the riddle that he created and choose the right casket. Portia detests the idea of marrying someone that she does not love, yet does not disobey her father’s wish. To win her hand in marriage, her suitors merely need to be lucky.
3.) The Moor must swear to never speak to a woman again with the intentions of marriage. Therefore, the Moor will never be able to marry if he chooses the wrong choice.
4.) Lancelot is the son of a honest woman. His father seems to have done something he is rather ashamed of.
5.) Lancelot thinks that Shylock is a devil. In his mind, he wages his choices of either staying with Shylock, who he fears and detests, or running away. However, in the end the fiend wins over his conscience and he chooses to run away.
6.) Lancelot says that Bassanio has the grace of a God whereas Shylock has enough. It means, compared to Shylock, Bassanio is full of grace like God while Shylock is normal.
7.) It is not very clear why Lancelot wishes to leave Shylock. However, the reader can tell that Lancelot was not treated very nicely by Shylock because he says Shylock was a devil. He also mentions that he was famished and wished to leave Shylock’s employment at once.
8.) Bassanio is skeptical of taking Gratiano to Belmont. Because he thinks that Gratiano is “Something too liberal” and might ruin his chances of getting together with Portia, Bassanio is hesitant of bringing Gratiano to Belmont and tries to convince him not to go (Shakespeare 43).
9.) My favorite character in this book so far is probably Nerissa although we do not know much about her. She seems to be a very clever person, but also fun to be around with. She certainly seems much more descent then Portia who is so proud and full of herself. My least favorite character is Bassanio. His way of thinking is messed up and I hate it that he begs around for money to make up for the money he wasted.
1. I do discern subtle idea of racial differentiation, but I wouldn't say it is racism, for I don't really sense racial inferiority or superiority in the Moroccan king's lines. The way Portia treats the king, too, does not show racism, though Portia does not welcome the king, either. However, the fact that his skin color is different is mentioned may be due to the racist idea on the baseline.
ReplyDelete2. Portia, according to her father's will, has to marry anyone who chooses the right caskets. There are three different caskets and each suitor has one chance to choose which ever one he thinks is right. If the suitor doesn't guess the right box, he has to leave immediately.
3. The Moor must swear that he will never marry anyone if he chooses the wrong casket.
4. Launcelot, according to himself, is the son of an honest woman than an honest man. His father, though generally a honest man, sometimes loses his composure.
5. Launcelot thinks of Shylock as a rich Jewish master. It is apparent that Launcelot does not want to serve Shylock anymore, for he thinks Shylock is mistreating him. However, he is still obligated to serve Shylock as his master.
6. Launcelot is playing with the proverb. It originally means that the grace of a God is what one truly needs and nothing more. However, Luancelot splits the proverb, indicating that though Shylock has money, he does not have God's grace, for he is a Jew. On the other hand, Bossanio, though a poor man, is a pious Christian blessed by God.
7. I believe to a certain degree it is clear why Launcelot wishes to leave Shylock. Launcelot complains about the mistreatment he receives, about how he never gets new uniform. He may also have been ashamed to serve a Jewish master. Launcelot must have thought that Bossanio will be a more generous master to serve. Even better, Bossanio is a Christian.
8. Bossanio does not wish to take Gratiano to Belmont, although he is using euphonic expressions. He is indicating that Gratiano's behaviors, which "in such eyes as ours appear not faults;/ But where thou art not known, why there they show/ Something too liberal" (Shakespeare 43). It also appears from the earlier in the play, that Bossanio does not think highly of Gratiano.
9. My favorite character in the play is Portia. She is an intelligent heroine, who is capable of independent actions, in contrast to other typical heroines. Though it is not shown in the earlier in the play, Portia's wisdom becomes obvious in the later part of the play, where she saves Antonio. My least favorite characters are Shylock and Bossanio. Bossanio does nothing productive and puts his burden on other people. Shylock is a greedy and conservative character, though he has his reasons for hating Antonio and other Christians.
1. This is a subtle racism because the prince of Morocco states that he is a black person, but he still has a kind heart. So he is saying not to judge people by its looks.
ReplyDelete2. Portia’s matrimonial restriction is that the man must choose the right casket. So it all depended on their fortune, and they are tested about how lucky they are.
3. If the Moor chose the incorrect casket, he must never speak to any women. This means that he will never be able to marry with other women.
4. Lancelot is the son of an honest woman. Lancelot describes his father as a person with different taste.
5. Lancelot think Shylock is a devil, and partly because he is a Jew. He wants to run away from him, but he is afraid to. But at last, he decides to run away from Shylock.
6. I am not sure with this question, but I think ‘The grace of God’ is referring to Bassanio, meaning that he has more courtesy than Shylock. And ‘enough’ refers to Shylock meaning that he does not have that much compassion toward Lancelot.
7. I think it is not clear why Lancelot leaves Shylock. But I think it’s because of how Shylock treated Lancelot badly.
8. Bassanio is skeptical of taking Gratiano to Belmont because of his manners. “Thy skipping spirit, less through thy wild behavior I be misconstered in the place I go to, And lose my hopes” (Shakespeare 43). Bassanio is worried that Gratiano might be disrespectful in voyage with him.
9. My favorite character is Shylock. It is not exactly like my favorite, but I want to know more about him. Even though he seem like an evil character, we still don’t know him as much, and there might be a rationale of why is being evil. My least favorite character is Bassanio. It is because he borrows money from his friend for his own good. Even though Antonio offered, it is still not respectful to borrow a huge amount.
1. In the film, judging by Portia's facial expressions, I could tell there was some sort of bias already forming within herself. When he arrived up to her, her mimmediate reaction was one not of hopefulness, but rather one of suspicion. In the play though, It's hard to tell if Portia has any prejudice against the prince. She claims he is as good as any suitor because it is not her choice to pick, but rather by chance with the three caskets. Although her response to the prince's advances are polite, she makes it clear with her tone that she doesn't not want to marry him.
ReplyDelete2. Portia's situation is odd. Being an obedient daughter, she follows he father's wish for her to be married off to any suitor that could correctly guess the one casket out of three. One is lead, one is silver, and one is gold. Naturally, the gold casket would seem like the correct choice, but I have yet to discover which one is the determining casket.
3. The Moor must swear to remain forever unmarried if he chooses incorrectly.
4. Launcelot wants to run away and quit being Shylock's apparentice. He calls Shylock "a kind of devil". It seems as though he might have reservations about working for Jew, even though he makes no comments in particular.
5. He is an honest woman's son. My honest friend Launcelot, being an honest man's son' -- or rather 'an honest woman's son,
6. Launcelot splits "the grace of God" by theoretically giving Bassanio "the grace of God" and Shylock "enough".
7. I find it pretty clear. This play is odd in the sense that it was written by Shakespeare, a playwright who was noted for his wholeness and universalism, yet it contained anti-Semetic, misogynistic aspects. Launcelot's reason for leaving Shylock, in my understanding, was because he could no longer tolerate living around and serving a Jew. Even Shylock's daughter, Jessica, confesses that she would like to escape her humiliating relationship with her father, and that they were only related by blood, not actions. However, Launcelot is a very impulsive man, with the way he suddenly decided to leave Shylock.
8. I don't find Bassanio thinking too highly of Gratiano, mostly because Bassanio is so set on taking Portia's hand. Although they are friends, Bassanio is worried that bring Gratiano on the trip, with his personality being "something too liberal" (Shakesepare 43) might ruin his chances of impressing Portia.
9. I am taking a liking to Shylock. He seems to be made out as the antagonist here, where even his own daughter is trying to convert to Christianity. He seems to me like someone who is just doing business. I understand the concept of him threatening to take a pound of Antonio's flesh if he doesn't pay up, because if Shylock let everyone wait a couple more weeks to get the money in, he would be a broke man. Borrowing money and promising to pay it back within a set time is something that someone should only if they are sure they can get the money back.
My least favorite character so far is Jessica. Simply because she is against Shylock, and she is his daughter. She wants to run away from him, convert to Christianity, and wants to me Lorenzo but fears that her marriage would be ruined because she was born Jewish. Even for its time, I find it very anti-Semetic and cold of her to hate her father for just being Jewish.
1. I picked up on some racism from what the Prince of Morocco said. When he states that he is as worthy as a white person from the North, it means that he probably doesn't have as much self respect as he should. It makes it look as if people with the same ethnicity as him are at a lower stance, when in actual fact they aren't.
ReplyDelete2. According to Portia's father's will, she must marry the man who is the first to successfully choose the right casket out of the three that are provided. This means that a man must only be lucky to be able to marry Portia, since everything is determined upon their luck.
3. If the Moor was to choose incorrectly, he must never talk to any woman with intentions of marriage, which indicates that he would never be able to get married, how sad.
4. From Launcelot's standpoint, he is apparently the son of a honest woman, who is more honest that his father.
5. Launcelot doesn't really like Shylock, because of his hate for Jews, and although he is employed to him, Launcelot has an urge to run away from him.
6. Launcelot changes the proverb in his own sense. When it says "the Grace of God", it means of just a pure necessity. In Launcelot's case, however, since Shylock has a plentiful amount of money, he is the part that says "enough". The part where it says "the Grace of God" was meant for Bassanio, due to Shylock's opinion of Bassanio being a pious Christian, even though he is poor.
7. It doesn't really clearly state why he wants to leave, but I think it is mainly due to Shylock being a Jew. Other reasons may become clear later on in the book.
8. Bassanio is skeptical of taking Gratiano to Belmont because he doesn't like his attitude and presence in general. In a conversation, Bassanio says: "Why then, you must. But hear thee, Gratiano: Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice" (Shakespeare 43). Later on, it even says: "I be misconstrued in the place I go to, and lose my hopes" (Shakespeare 43). He just doesn't feel comfortable with Gratiano in his presence.
9. So far, I think I like Portia the best in the story. She seems pretty intelligent, and although her father is dead, she respects his will, even though the way she is determined to be married off seems unreasonable. It not only proves that she is just a good daughter to her father, but it also means that she stays true to rightful decisions and simply just does the right thing. As for my least favorite character, it would be a strict tie between Bassanio and Shylock. Even though they both have some reasons for their wrong doings, it didn't make me like them either. I didn't like Bassanio from the start, since he borrowed such a huge sum of money in Antonio's name. Even though he had permission, he doesn't understand that it's just rude to borrow so much money. I would feel the same way if a close friend suddenly asked for a lot of money. Shylock, on the other hand, just seems downright prejudiced, although he also has a reason for his behaviors. But I think he just takes to much pity on himself that he hasn't recognized the fact that he's just different - but so what? He needs to learn to move on and avoid people who hate him for who he is. It goes the same way for Antonio too; he is the type of person who encourages other people to scorn and hate on people who are just different; but it made me come to a realization that Shylock and Antonio are two different people with really similar opinions. They need to stop glorifying themselves so much and learn how to accept other people for who they actually are inside. Although this answer has been way too long (I apologize), it really gives the people of the 14th century a bad name.
Rina Dishman
B3 Lit
1. Although there is no racism in Portia’s treatment of the Moor, Shakespeare slightly touches on it by starting the Moor’s speech with “Mislike me not for my complexion” (Shakespeare 33). The speech seems to only focus on convincing Portia that he’s no different from any other white guy.
ReplyDelete2. Portia’s father wished her suitors to all have three different caskets to choose from and the one who chooses the right casket will be whom Portia shall marry.
3. The Moor must swear to never ask a girl for marriage if he chooses incorrectly, meaning he will never get married.
4. Launcelot is the son of an honest woman because his father cheated on his mother.
5. Launcelot thinks Shylock is the incarnation of the devil.
6. Launcelot was quite clever in splitting the proverb, saying that Bassanio is “the grace of god” while Shylock is merely “enough”. This means that he prefers Bassanio much more and thinks he’s much kinder while Shylock is only good in that he’s rich and has “enough” money.
7. It’s not very clear, because he just says that Shylock is evil but doesn’t clarify why. Perhaps he thought Shylock was a monster for wanting Antonio’s flesh. However he does hint that Shylock mistreats him by saying that he’s “famished in his service” (Shakespeare 39) and that he wants to work under Bassanio because he gives better uniforms.
8. Although Bassanio does not mind Gratiano coming along with him to Belmont, he does show his concerns and warns him not to be “too wild, too rude, and bold of voice” (Shakespeare 43) for in a foreign place people will not be able to accept so much wildness. He’s worried that people will get the wrong impression of him and he’ll lose his chances with Portia.
9. My favorite character so far is Portia because she is a good daughter and obeys the wishes of her dead father even when it means she’ll her own freedom to choose. She’s quite logical in her reasoning for why she’s not fond of any of her suitors and seems to consider quite a lot, and not just whether the suitor’s rich, good looking or not.
My least favorite character is Bassanio because he borrows endless money from his so-called “dear friend” Antonio, even when he knows that he doesn’t have any. He allows Antonio’s life to be threatened by Shylock and seems to be just using their friendship. He’s merely a selfish coward.
1. Do you discern any subtle racism in the treatment of the Moor? I do see racism towards the moor in this play. The first line says not to judge from the color of the skin. However, I like the fact that Portia denies of being a racist from saying the Moroccan prince is as good as any others.
ReplyDelete2. Describe in detail Portia's matrimonial restrictions. She can’t choose her self, because of her father’s decision, Portia has to marry the man who picks the right casket.
3. What must the Moor swear to do if he chooses incorrectly? The Moor must swear that he will never marry any women if he chooses incorrectly.
4. Is Launcelot the son of an honest man or an honest woman? Launcelot is the son of an honest woman, because he feels a shamed of his father.
5. What does Launcelot think of Shylock? Launcelot does not like Shylock. He thinks Shylock is a Jewish devil risen from hell.
6. How does Launcelot split the proverb "The grace of God is enough" between Bassanio and Shylock? Launcelot says Bassanio has the grace of God and Shylock has enough.
7. Is it really clear why Launcelot leaves Shylock to work for Bassanio? Yes Launcelot makes it clear that he will leave Shylock and work for Bassanio because Shylock did wrong to Launcelot.
8. Is Bassanio skeptical of taking Gratiano to Belmont? Use a quote as support. Yes he is, because he talks about how Gratiano behaves "Thou art too wild, too rude, and bold of voice" (Shakespeare 43) and Bassanio thinks he will ruin his chance to marry Portia.
9. Who is your favorite character? Who is your least favorite? My favorite character is Portia, maybe because of the film that we have been watching I might think this way, but I think that Portia enjoys the situation she is in in some degree. How rich and noble men from all over the world coming to marry her seems to be something Portia likes. My least favorite will be Bassanio because I think other characters are standing out more than him although he is the hero(?) in this play. Bassanio is boring to me.
1. Although Portia has not mentioned any racism in her words and tell that he is as good as the other suitors, the Prince himself, picks up on his color and described how it does not affect his personality and his well-being.
ReplyDelete2. Portia's father has left the will for her daughter to marry the person who choses the right casket within the three that are provided. So the choice of Portia's father only depends on the luck of the man and not his wealth, power..etc. therefore, Portia has no choice but to follow the instructions and marry the "lucky" one.
3. The Moor has to swear that he would not marry any other woman if he gets the wrong casket.
4.Launcelot is the son of an honest woman. Although his father is mentioned first, Launcelot realized that his father has once cheated on his mother which makes him dishonest.
5. Launcelot dislikes Shylok and makes him equal to the devil.
6. Launcelot splits the quote in two by saying that Bassanio has the grace of God therefore has the kindness and probably also because he is not Jewish. The other half comes to Shylok, enough refers to the wealth that Shylok owns.
7. Launcelot wants to leave Shylok because the master has done him wrong.
8. Yes, because Gratiano can be very rude and loud at some points therefore give Bassanio himself, a bad impression and ruin his chance with Portia. "I be misconst’red in the place I go to, And lose my hopes" (Shakespeare 43). However, Gratiano promises him to behave well.
9. My favorite character would be Nerissa. She hasn't appeared so much, but her scene with Portia shows both loyalty and the close relationship with Portia. However, I still like Portia as well because of her trueness to her dead father and how she sees in her suitors, not only power, money and ethnicity but also their personality.
Bassanio would be my least favorite. He seems so weak because he cannot solve his problems himself and relies on Antonio. Also the amount of money that he borrowed from Shylok under the name of Antonio, for his pleasure and will to marry Portia is just too much.